The Leningrad Region has become one of the five pilot subjects of the Federation defined by the Russian government for the development of domestic potato varieties. Potentially, the region can double its production, thereby replacing the import of seed potato varieties.
“The main direction of potato growing in the Leningrad Region is seed growing. For this we have a scientific base, practical experience, professional staff, funds in the budget, there is an understanding of the prospects for the development of potato seed production, there is a demand and need for domestic seed potatoes. All this means that seed production in the region will develop, ”explained Sergey Yakhnyuk, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Leningrad Region, head of the committee for the agro-industrial and fishery complex.
By the year 2026, the Government of the Russian Federation set the task of creating and introducing into the practice of agricultural production domestic competitive varieties of grain, vegetables and potatoes. The inclusion of the Leningrad region in the five pilot regions for the implementation of the federal program for the development of the sowing fund in potato farming was facilitated by the presence of a strong research base and many years of experience in the production of seed potatoes by agricultural enterprises of the region.
To date, more than 50 farms grow potatoes in the Leningrad region, eight of them are engaged in seed production on a professional level. Three centers for potato seed production have been created: ZAO Oktyabrskoye, ZAO PZ Prinevskoye and OOO Slavyanka M.
Leningrad region is among the leaders in Russia in the production of microplants (33% of the volume of Russian production) and minitubers of seed potatoes (20%). Seed potatoes from the Leningrad region are sold in 32 regions of the country.
As reported IA REGNUMOf the 88 potato varieties in Russia, only 32 are domestic, and of the six most common potato varieties in production, four are imported. Such data was called about a year ago by Sergey Yakhnyuk. He emphasized that "these challenges are very dangerous for the food security of the Russian Federation."
Details: https://regnum.ru